Charlotte man arrested after SWAT standoff

A 27-year-old man was arrested Thursday after he reportedly threatened his wife, then barricaded himself inside their Charlotte County apartment for nearly five hours.

Investigators say Carmelo Pedro Torres, Jr. held his pregnant wife against her will inside their residence at Murdock Circle Apartments Wednesday evening. The woman eventually escaped unharmed and called 911 shortly after 6:30 p.m., according to reports.

Torres then reportedly barricaded himself inside with a gun.

Authorities responded to the scene and evacuated residents in nearby buildings. Nearly five hours later, SWAT team members fired gas into the unit, forcing him to surrender peacefully, according to reports.

He was booked into the Charlotte County Jail on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Domestic Battery, Sexual Battery, Child Abuse, and False Imprisonment.